Planned Parenthood facilities are providing transgender hormone treatments to minors as young as 16 during first visits without requiring mental health assessments, according to a new undercover investigation.
At a Glance
- Live Action’s undercover investigation found Planned Parenthood locations offering cross-sex hormones to minors as young as 16 during initial appointments
- Seven facilities were willing to prescribe hormones at first appointment, with five indicating no need for prior therapy or mental health clearance
- Some locations offer virtual consultations and same-day prescriptions for hormone treatments without verifying the identity of adults accompanying minors
- Live Action has launched a campaign to defund Planned Parenthood, which receives over $700 million in annual taxpayer funding
- Critics argue these practices expose minors to potentially irreversible medical treatments without adequate safeguards
Undercover Investigation Reveals Quick Access to Hormone Treatments
Anti-abortion organization Live Action has released findings from an undercover investigation claiming that Planned Parenthood facilities across the country are providing cross-sex hormones to minors with minimal oversight. The investigation involved a woman posing as a 16-year-old seeking “gender-affirming care” who contacted multiple Planned Parenthood locations. According to Live Action, at least seven facilities expressed willingness to prescribe hormones during a first appointment.
The recordings indicate that some Planned Parenthood centers offer virtual consultations and same-day access to hormone treatments. Five facilities reportedly stated there was no requirement for prior therapy, mental health clearance, or documentation to obtain hormones. The investigation found that minors can receive these treatments without parental presence during the entire appointment, and that some locations do not thoroughly verify the identity of adults accompanying minors.
— Jared (@zerofiveniner) July 27, 2024
Campaign to Defund Planned Parenthood
Live Action has launched a multi-faceted campaign calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, which includes the release of a policy report detailing the organization’s practices. The campaign features a billboard in New York City’s Times Square alerting the public that Planned Parenthood not only performs abortions but also provides transgender hormone treatments to minors. According to Live Action, Planned Parenthood performs nearly 400,000 abortions annually and receives over $700 million in taxpayer funding each year.
House Republicans are reportedly considering measures to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood as part of ongoing budget discussions. House Speaker Mike Johnson has mentioned targeting “big abortion” in the budget reconciliation process, though no specific legislation has been announced as of yet.
Concerns About Informed Consent and Long-Term Effects
Critics of Planned Parenthood’s approach to transgender hormone therapy point to the organization’s “informed consent” model, which they claim minimizes gatekeeping and may not provide sufficient counseling before beginning treatments that can have significant long-term effects. According to the investigation, 45 Planned Parenthood affiliates provided “gender-affirming hormone therapy” in 2022. Cross-sex hormones can have serious side effects, including permanent infertility, critics warn.
Some medical experts note that studies suggest most children with gender dysphoria outgrow it by late adolescence. Testimonies from individuals who have detransitioned highlight concerns about the lack of support for those who wish to reverse their transition. Some argue that the medical establishment may have a bias toward transitioning that could be influenced by financial incentives rather than patient wellbeing.
Planned Parenthood’s website indicates the organization offers various transgender and nonbinary hormone therapies, including estrogen, anti-androgens, testosterone, and puberty blockers. The organization has become recognized as a leading provider of hormones for young people seeking gender transition services, operating clinics in numerous states across the country.
